PONANT invites you on a brand new 9-day cruise to the heart of the West Indies. From Fort-de-France, you will sail the idyllic waters of the Caribbean Sea to discover stunning islands, as well as historical and architectural landmarks.

An experienced diving instructor is on board for the entire cruise, enabling you to safely enjoy swimming and scuba diving.

You will first sail to St. Kitts, a volcanic island with fine sandy beaches and a rich colonial heritage.

Your ship will then call at Saint-Martin, a small cosmopolitan island that is half French, half Dutch.

Further west, between the Lesser Antilles and the Greater Antilles, the British Virgin Islands will offer you idyllic landscapes. During a stop at Virgin Gorda, you will discover The Baths National Park and its huge blocks of granite, surrounded by caves and rock pools.

Then you will discover Saint Barthélemy, an idyllic land that offers a happy blend of modernism and traditions and Antigua and Barbuda, renowned for their sumptuous white sandy beaches.

Before reaching Fort-de-France, your final port, you will enjoy the enchanting setting offered by the island of Dominica, known as the Nature Island.

LE CHAMPLAIN

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the second ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Champlain will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

Port of call & excursions

Fort-de-France

Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendour of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbour mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breath-taking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colourful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.

22 January 2021 – South Friars Bay, Saint Kitts

Arrival 22/01/2021 midday. Departure 22/01/2021 early evening.

Nestling along the peninsula of Saint-Kitts Island, South Friars Bay shelters one of the Kittitians’ most popular beaches. You’ll find this sumptuous stretch of golden sand perfect for a pleasant spot of sunbathing, while its clear and calm waters make it an ideal site for swimming and snorkelling. The rich and preserved sea bed will let you admire a huge variety of reef fish and stunning aquatic flora.

23 January 2021 – Marigot

Arrival 23/01/2021 early morning. Departure 23/01/2021 late evening.

Located on the west coast of the French side of Saint Martin, an island in the north-east of the Caribbean Sea, Marigot has stunning discoveries in store for you. Its streets are home to old Creole huts, the traditional dwellings in the 19th century, as well as a host of luxury boutiques and artist studios. Overlooking Marigot Bay and facing Anguilla,Fort Louis is an ideal spot from which to admire the Simpson Bay Lagoon and the surrounding small, lush mountains. For those who enjoy walking, taking a lovely stroll from the Fort Louis marina via the market, is an opportunity to fully enjoy the easy way of life in this charming, picturesque town.

24 January 2021 – Virgin Gorda

Arrival 24/01/2021 early morning. Departure 24/01/2021 early evening.

Virgin Gorda is one of the British Virgin Islands archipelago’s largest islands. There, you will discover The Baths National Park and its well-renowned picture-postcard beaches. Gigantic volcanic boulders sit surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, creating spectacular geological formations. Indeed, over the years a network of basins, caves and natural pools has formed, resulting in a sublime aquatic maze in which it is enjoyable to lose oneself before heading to the stunning Devil’s Bay Beach. On the island’s south-eastern tip, Copper Mine National Park is still home to many ruins of an abandoned copper mine that looks out over the sea.

25 January 2021 – Gustavia

Arrival 25/01/2021 early morning. Departure 25/01/2021 late evening.

Lovers of this island call it Saint-Barth. This French island in the Lesser Antilles was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Ever since, this tiny mountainous volcanic gem with its unspoilt nature has been enchanting visitors. You will enjoy the beauty of its large paradisiacal beaches, plus the charm and refinement of its old wooden houses and its sumptuous colonial manors. Although, as you saunter through the rues de Gustavia or Saint-Jean, you’ll come across jewellers, top fashion boutiques and fine restaurants, there is also a simplicity that money can’t buy…

26 January 2021 – Barbuda

27 January 2021 – Basse-Terre

28 January 2021 – Portsmouth

Arrival 28/01/2021 early morning. Departure 28/01/2021 late evening.

With its mountainous terrain, vast tropical forest, hot springs, rivers and spectacular waterfalls, Dominica is undoubtedly the wildest island in the Caribbean. Protected by several national parks, this little-known land, located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, between Guadeloupe and Martinique, will inspire adventure and exploration. During your port of call, do not miss out on discovering the enchanting landscapes of the Indian River: navigating through this dense mangrove, in which creepers, ferns, forest trees and giant roots are interweaved, is a magical experience, a fascinating voyage into the heart of an almost mystical natural universe.

Fort-de-France

Disembarkation 29/01/2021 at 06H00 .

Located on the western coast of Martinique, Fort-de-France will amaze you by the splendour of its bay, a magnificent cut-out in the coastline, considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. At the harbour mouth, on its strip of land, fort Saint-Louis overlooks the capital city of Martinique. If you climb up to it, you can see some breath-taking views. Saint Louis Cathedral and the Schoelcher library bear witness to a secular history, intimately linked to the island’s story. Why not try some fresh coconut at the colourful Grand Marché. Two really pleasant places you can take a breather in, right in the heart of the city, are the garden of Balata and the Aimé Césaire park.

Formalities

The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.

Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.

Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.

In order to participate in diving sessions, guests must have with them a medical certificate less than 1 year old and their up to date dive book.

Scuba diving

Scuba diving

Fauna and flora of the Caribbean Sea

The fauna of the Caribbean Sea is very varied. During the different dives, divers can observe various species of benthic fauna such as French angel fish, queen angel fish, spotted drums, puffer fish, parrots fish, and pelagic fauna such as spotted eagle ray, barracudas, horse eyes jackfish, as well as fixed wildlife such as gorgonians and barrel sponges.

Supervision of the dives

Your dives will be led by your PONANT instructor. He will take care of your safety and that all goes smoothly. On some diving sites, as in natural reserves or if the local regulations require it, a local guide will escort the diving.

Level required for scuba diving on this cruise

The minimum level required for scuba diving on this cruise is 1star CMAS or the PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent). The certification card, the diving log book and a recent medical certificate (less than 12 months) must be presented at the beginning of the cruise to our main diving instructor.

Process of the dives (certified divers)

The instructor can dive with 4 certified divers at a time. The instructor reserves the right to check divers’ ability for maximum safety. As we will dive in remote places, the dives will be done without decompression stop. A safety stop of 3 minutes at 5 metres will be mandatory. The depth that can be reached will depend on the certification of the divers:

For those with PADI Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 20 metres.

For those with PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certificate (or equivalent), the maximum depth can be up to 25 metres.

If two PADI Advanced Open Water Divers (or equivalent) wish to dive together independently, they must have a briefing first. They must have dive computers and are allowed to go to a maximum depth of 20 metres.

Process of the initiation dives (novice divers)

Before your initiation dive, your instructor will show you the equipment and will explain to you how to communicate underwater using hand gestures and how to breathe through a regulator. Once in the water, equipped with your material, you will learn how to breathe through your regulator on the surface for a couple of minutes. When your instructor feels you are ready, he will immerse you in water for about 20 minutes to a depth of 6 metres maximum.

Duration of the dives

The diving activity lasts from 2 to 3 hours, which includes the journey to the diving site and the diving. This duration may vary according to the site, the level of divers, weather conditions and the number of participants. For experienced divers, the duration of dives varies between 35 and 60 minutes depending on the site, the diver’s experience and consumption.

Supplied equipment

Diving wetsuit

Stabilising jacket

Fins, mask and snorkel

Regulator with octopus and pressure gauge

Diving computer (for divers mastering their use)

Scuba diving activities on this cruise

PORTS OF CALL

DIVES

(for certified divers)

Discover scuba diving

(for beginners)

Saint Kitts and Nevis - South Friars Bay, Saint Kitts

YES

NO

Saint Martin - Marigot

NO

NO

British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda (morning)

YES

NO

British Virgin Islands - Virgin Gorda (afternoon)

YES

YES

Saint Barthelemy - Gustavia

YES

YES

Antigua and Barbuda - Barbuda

NO

NO

Guadeloupe - Basse-Terre

YES

NO

Dominica - Portsmouth

YES

YES

These sites are indicative. The proposed diving excursions may be changed depending on weather and safety conditions and the number of divers.

Pre/Post & Overlands

Before your cruise

21/01/2021 – TRANSFER TO THE PIER OF FORT-DE-FRANCE

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your transfer between the airport and your port of embarkation.

Fort-de-France

Meet at the airport – Arrival Hall (look for PONANT sign).

You will be greeted by our local English-speaking representative off the flight selected by PONANT.

You will be directly transferred to the pier to embark on board your ship. The duration of the transfer is approximately 45 minutes.

Your programme includes:

Transfer by coach from the airport to the port.

Services of a local English-speaking hostess at the airport and during the transfer.

Your programme does not include:

Personal expenses and other services not mentioned in the programme.

Tips for the driver and hostess.

Duration of the transfer is given as a guide only. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

After your cruise

29/01/2021 – FLAVOURS OF MARTINIQUE

Travel with peace of mind as PONANT organizes your transfer between the port of disembarkation and the airport.

Fort-de-France

After disembarkation procedures are completed, you will be greeted at the port by our local representative.

First you will be taken to Morne Savon, a hilly suburb of Balata where is located the church of Balata. The church of Balata is a small replica – scaled down to a fifth of the original monument - of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica in Paris. The pure white Dome and bell tower contrast with the lush vegetation of its surroundings. Built in 1925, its offers an impressive panorama over the city of Fort-de-France. If the church is opened and there is no mass celebrated, you will get the opportunity to visit its interior during this photo stop.

You will them spend about one hour at Balata Botanical Garden created in 1982 by the expert botanist Jean-Philippe Thoze. Inspired by his journeys, this garden is an epic floral works of art made out of roses, hibiscus, orchids, and many other plants. Today it contains about 3,000 varieties of tropical plants from around the world. It is organized around the family house built in a typical creole style. You will experience a nice stroll in the quiet, shady paths lined with colorful flowers appealing to the eyes as much as to the smell.

You will continue your exploration to the village of Le Francois for the visit of the Habitation Clement. The Habitation Clement stands an important place in the architectural and industrial patrimony of Martinique. It has been recognized as a Historic Monument by the Ministry of Culture. The term ‘Habitation’in its Creole sense, describes a property and its structures dedicate to agricultural or commercial purpose. You will get the chance to visit the domain, the main house and the distillery. At the end of your visit, enjoy a Rum tasting.

You will then join the restaurant where your lunch will be served. After lunch, you will be transferred to the airport in time for check-in of the PONANT selected flight.

To visit the Church of Balata, it is advisable to respect dress codes (covering the upper body and legs below the knees). It is not permitted to visit the church during masses.

Duration of the visits are given as a guide only. The order of the visits may be reversed. For the times of your PONANT flight, please contact your travel agent; they are also shown on your electronic ticket included in your travel documents.

Attention: the prices listed at the time of your reservation can be different from those listed in the brochure. These prices can evolve based on availability and the real time rates of the airline companies selected.

Travellers are advised to check all the information with the authorities concerned prior to the departure date. Ponant advises Travellers to consult the country factsheets relating to the chosen destinations. Ponant specifically draws Travellers' attention to the fact that the information provided may change up until the departure date, and they are advised to consult that information up until the time of departure. CDP invites Travellers to adjust their behavior to the visited country, to exercise vigilance and to avoid carrying valuable objects during their travel.